ADVANCED INQUIRY PROGRAM DETAILS

Eligibility

Enrollment is open to applicants with a Bachelor’s degree regardless of academic major or profession. The AIP is designed for a variety of working professionals and individuals interested in advancing their careers in education and conservation, and can be completed in 2.5 to 5 years taking classes part-time while working.

Requirements

21 credit hours of AIP W+ courses that combine web-based instruction with experiential learning on-site at Woodland Park Zoo plus 14 credit hours of AIP Core Courses that occur on the web. Up to 7 credit hours from an Earth Expeditions global field course (www.earthexpeditions.org) may count toward the degree.

Approximately $4,420/year for the cost of credit and administrative fees. Miami University offers substantially reduced fees for AIP courses. Under the current financial model, candidates who enroll this year will save more than $24,000 for out-of-state costs for the degree.

Note: Similar costs are expected for each year of the program, but prices are subject to change. Allow extra for miscellaneous costs such as textbooks, minimal tech fees, and travel to Woodland Park Zoo.

Degrees

Applicants elect to enroll in either a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree in the Biological Sciences or a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Biology (see Project Dragonfly’s program details). MA and MAT candidates go through the Advanced Inquiry Program together.

Approved for Certification or Endorsements?

Degree authorization details

This program is not intended to lead to educator certification. Educators are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement. Prospective Washington State students are also advised to contact the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction at 360.725.6275 or pesb@k12.wa.us to determine whether this education program is approved for endorsements in Washington State.

Miami University is authorized by the Washington Student Achievement Council and meets the requirements and minimum educational standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree-Granting Institutions Act. This authorization is subject to periodic review and authorizes Miami University to offer specific degree programs. The Council may be contacted for a list of currently authorized programs. Authorization by the Council does not carry with it an endorsement by the Council. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the Council at P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430.

Association of Zoos & Aquariums Professional Certificate

Frequently Asked Questions

AIP Faculty and Community

Co-delivered by faculty at Miami University and Woodland Park Zoo professional education staff, the AIP combines graduate courses at the zoo with web-based learning communities that connect you to a broad network of professionals from education, conservation, business, and government settings.

Project Dragonfly reaches millions of people each year through inquiry-driven learning media, public exhibits, graduate programs, and conservation partnerships worldwide. AIP Master’s students join a growing alliance of education, environmental, and community leaders. The AIP is a first-of-its-kind graduate degree co-delivered by major community institutions committed to local, national, and global change.